For over 30 years John S. Dykes has been creating illustrations for a wide and diverse range of clients, earning recognition from The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, American Illustration, 3x3 Illustration Annual, Print Magazine, How Magazine, Step By Step Graphics, and The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (gold and silver medals), as well as the Luerzer's Archive 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide.

In 2013, John earned his Masters of Fine Arts degree in Illustration at the University of Hartford. “I joined the program with the idea that a period of structured study could be a challenge, but also an invigorating and energizing experience. It has added a whole new dimension and perspective to my life as an artist.”

John’s studio and home is in downtown Boston. He is represented by the fine people at Gerald & Cullen Rapp, in NYC.

Over the past year, John has created numerous illustrations for an advertising campaign for First Interstate Bank. The campaign consists of hundreds of detailed drawings (composed as maps) of states where First Interstate has branches - Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Most details illustrate the natural, historical, cultural and lifestyle aspects of the states with a stylized, graphic, and light-hearted approach. The illustrations are used across media - print advertising, billboards, posters, and animated spots.

A series of 5 illustrations for the First Interstate Bank campaign have been accepted into the Society of Illustrators 60th Annual Exhibition. This series of poster illustrations has also received recognition from Communication Arts, American Illustration, and the 3x3 Illustration Annual.

John has given presentations at schools and institutions including the University of Kansas, University of Connecticut, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, New Hampshire Institute of Art, and The New England School of Art & Design. Recent exhibits include the Society of Illustrators Members Open, and "Facing Humanity - A Show of Portraits", a group show of over 40 contemporary illustrators, at Gallery 360 at Northeastern University in Boston. His work is part of the permanent collection of The New Britain Museum of American Art, as well as many private collections.